Just a question, I am not even sure what car I am getting yet. I am thinking of getting a Mazda Miata NA though.
Dont get a miata, get a small fwd car in Manual, you will not only become a more aware driver you will get slightly better gas mileage as well as a better understanding of the car and how to drive.
Tell me this a joke. A Miata as a first car? Get one of those Craigslist 90's Beige Corollas or Camrys. Will get you from A to B, and give you a good mileage. You can also get it in manual (i think). When you learn how to properly drive a car (it takes getting used to, even after the tests, and the Corolla will take the abuse) Then get the Miata.
Go with an automatic. When you're 16, you'll be inexperienced, and you don't need another distraction... Wait until you're ready for a manual. Also, don't get a sports car as your first car. As you're 16, premiums will be through the roof as it is, and you'll likely run into a number of problems regarding practicality.
I say start with an auto if you can, then if you get more into stuff with your car like racing, etc get a manual.
I would say a manual. Sure, you will have to learn how to use it, but as VeyronEB said, that means you won't have to learn it later on. Knowing how to use a manual can be quite practical, and even if it takes some time to get used to, it's not that complicated.
if its not that complicated, why start with it? why not learn it when you need to? and like @Fera (I think) said before when you are at that time that you get your first car, you have much bigger things to worry about (from a teenagers mind at least) than the transmission your car has and learning to drive it specifically.
It's not that complicated, but it's not something you can learn that fast too. As I said : it takes some time getting used to it. If you want to learn to drive a manual, I believe it's good to do it as soon as possible. In my opinion, the best way to do that is to have to learn it while learning how to drive. As far as I know, this is the case in most European countries, but not in the US. Sure, having to learn how to drive a manual might seem difficult, but once you know how to do it, no need to learn it again. Plus, driving with a manual is more involving, and can be more satisfying. Not to mention manual transmissions are easier to maintain, and can provide better fuel efficiency. Not to mention the fact that you could face a car with a manual transmission one day, in which case having some experience with manuals would definitely help.
i4 manual. will be more attatched to the car. get a civic or a i4 eclipse or i4 tiburon or cobalt or som like that
Don't listen to the people who say get an auto. If you learn with a manual you will not only gain more experience, it will make you learn to prioritize tasks, this will make you a much better driver as nothing will surprise as you are forced to pay more attention to your surroundings such as when lights change, anticipating other peoples stupidity and preventing possible crashes. Sure a manual can be hard, luckily from my experience i got a bit of experience before i drove on the road but that doesn't mean you can't. Go to a parking lot with one of your parents before you drive on the road, once you get the hang of it, try back streets and then when you are comfortable take it onto public roads. I honestly get sick of people who say learning a manual is either not needed or too hard to learn. Its really not, especially if your parents are willing and able to teach you. .
This, Definitely. Practice makes perfect, or atleast you get the experience and feel of how to drive a manual when the offchance it happens. It doesn't HAVE TO happen, but it's a skill that may come in handy. I started driving with a manual car, I'll admit, I've stalled a few times, and everything was shaky at first, but that's what practice does though right? Hell, I even took my driver's test with the same car, the driving instructor was surprised, but I passed. Nowadays, I own and drive a car with an automatic, but if anyone gives me to the keys to one, then I can jump in and drive it easily, because even if I drive an auto, I still know how to drive a manual. There's cons and pros to both transmissions, and really, it's up to how you feel what's better, personally, I'd try and experience both if possible, and then level out what would suit best in my situation.
Lots of people in the US have manuals for their first car. I'd even go as far as saying it was kind of out of place to have a manual as your first car, but that's becoming less so now, but manuals still have the majority for first cars I'd say, though just because it's the majority doesn't mean it should be the norm. Look at our president for example.
Get a Manual. If you start with an Automatic you'll never want to try a Manual. I generally tell people to get a Golf 2/3/4 as they are cheap, reliable, pretty fun to drive and simple to work on but I don't know the American market.
Well, if you get your car gets stolen, and the thief tries to get it in 1st gear but keeps stalling, he may be too embarrassed to try again and he'll leave. So obviously manual is better.
Manual as you get better economy or you can go faster. Also no stupid selector stick that you will hit and put the car into the wrong gear when putting on the lights and stuff
